The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness

What it's about

Around 2012, rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm among teenagers began rising sharply in many countries at once. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the cause was a great rewiring of childhood: the move from a play-based childhood to a phone-based one, as smartphones and social media arrived while kids were losing the freedom to play and explore on their own. He lays out the evidence, then proposes four simple norms for families and schools to change course.

Why it's worth reading

It's one of the most influential books of the decade, already reshaping school phone policies and family rules around the world. Whether or not you agree with every point, it's essential reading for any parent or teacher.

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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma or Outliers: The Story of Success

Good to know

It's built on research and charts but written for general readers. Some researchers dispute how strong the evidence is, which Haidt addresses. The practical chapters at the end are the most useful for parents.